Hon. Ray Perrault P.C., beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully on November 24th 2008 in North Vancouver.  He is predeceased by his father, Ernest Alphonse Perreault, his mother, Floss, (nee Rieble), and his sister, Marjorie Lindsay.  He will be remembered lovingly by his wife Barbara, brothers, Ernie and Gordon, children, Yvonne, Mark and Robert as well as by many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

A passionate Canadian, Ray was very proud of his French Canadian and German roots.  He lived life to the fullest and enjoyed many other hobbies and interests, including, amateur photography, radio, gardening, cooking, music, history and sports.

He was born in Vancouver on February 6, 1926.  When Ray was nine years old, his father died of tuberculosis.  Ray grew very close to his maternal grandparents, Anna and George Rieble.

Ray’s interest in politics was ignited by his grandfather who took him to hear Mackenzie King speak in Vancouver.   From that time onward, while other children were outside playing, Ray would be found pouring over newspapers in the kitchen.

His mother Floss also had a profound impact on him.  A devout Catholic, she believed strongly in the power of prayer and the importance of worship.  When times were rough, which they often were during the depression, she gathered the family around the Quebec heater for prayer.

The family attended St Mary’s Church in Vancouver.  Ray was an active member in the local Catholic Youth Organization.  When he was a young man, Pope Pius Xll awarded him the Benemerenti medal for his work as a Catholic layman.

Ray graduated from UBC with a degree in economics and political science.  He was always a big fan of radio and was one of the founding members of UBC Radio Society. For his efforts, CITR awarded him with the prestigious Great Trekker Award.
As a student, he was an active member in the Young Liberal Party.   He caught the attention of Jimmy Sinclair and Arthur Lang who encouraged his involvement in politics.

Upon graduation, he worked as a sports reporter for CJOR and also wrote and produced advertising copy for radio.

His interest in politics was growing but he remained unsure.  His fascination with history and genealogy eventually lead him to travel across North America and Europe.  Travelling awoke in him a restless desire to find his true calling.  In Assisi, he prayed to St. Francis asking for guidance.

While at a Young Liberal function, he met his mentor, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson who encouraged him to run for the Provincial Liberal Party leadership. In 1959 he was elected leader.  In 1960 he was elected to the BC Legislature.  He was re-elected again in 1963 and ’66.  In 1968 he resigned to contest the federal constituency of Burnaby�"Seymour and defeated Tommy Douglas.  As an M.P. he was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister to the Minister of Labor in 1970 and as Parliamentary Secretary of Manpower and Immigration 1971.

Ray was involved in several international missions notably Canada’s first mission to the People’s Republic of China in 1969.   Ray also served as Canada’s representative on the Special Political Committee of the United Nations (Atomic Energy, Africa and Middle East Refugee problems).

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau appointed him to the Senate in 1973 and to the Federal Cabinet in 1974, where he served as Leader of the Government in the Senate 1974-1979 & 1980-1982 and. Leader of the Opposition in the Senate 1979-1980. He was Minister of State for Fitness and Amateur Sport from 1982 �" 1983 and in that capacity did much of the preliminary federal work for the Calgary Olympics.  He sat on several Senate Committees and participated in many international Canadian delegations throughout his career.  Ray was instrumental in securing funding Skytrain.  He also worked on BCIT, Expo ’86 and the Convention Centre at Pier B.

Ray was active in many community organizations including the Canadian Club, the Council of Christians and Jews, the University Club and the Newman Club at UBC.  He was a director of the Terry Fox Foundation, Citizen’s Trust and the Vancouver Canucks.  He was Honourable Chairman of the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Team.

Toward the end of his career, Ray was most proud of his work in securing funding from Veterans Affairs Canada to establish a Life Review Program to help WW2 and Korean War veterans resolve issues of war.  The program still exists and helps today’s veterans.

Ray retired from the Senate in 2001.  Shortly after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which he faced with courage and dignity.  Ray was a profoundly decent and kind man.  He loved his family, his community and his country.  Deep felt thanks to John Schleimer and to all the good people at Lynn Valley Hospital, especially Ewa, Shannon, Billy, Jemena, AJ, Mahindra and Surjeet�" you made his life comfortable and gave us strength.  Sweet sweet Ray, you fought so hard - rest now.

Public viewing 5pm-9pm Thursday, November 27 at Columbia-Bowell Chapel, 219 6th Street, New Westminster. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Holy Rosary Cathedral, 646 Richards St. Vancouver at 2:30pm November 29th, celebrant Father Jim Comey.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Covenant House Vancouver or the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement.